Medicinal attributes of major phenylpropanoids present in cinnamon

Comparative Study on the Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of the Essential Oils of Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula x intermedia Cultivated in Lebanon

The phytochemical profile of essential oils is influenced by genetic and paragenetic factors. In this research, we studied the essential oils of Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula x intermedia cultivated in Lebanon. The latter is a cross hybrid between Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia and is also known as lavandin and Lavandula hybrida. Specifically, the chemical composition and biological activities (antibacterial, antioxidant, anticancer, and hemolytic) of the essential oils were assessed. GC-MS results showed marked differences in the chemical compositions of the oils. For example, linalool was more abundant in L. x intermedia (44.15%) than in L. angustifolia (32%), while an opposite trend was observed for the percentages of 1,8-cineole (8.6% in L. angustifolia and 4.0% in L. x intermedia). FTIR analysis confirmed the richness of both oils in monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. In terms of antioxidant activity, L. angustifolia essential oil demonstrated significantly better activity (IC50= 5.24 ± 1.20 mg/mL) compared to L. x intermedia oil in the DPPH radical scavenging assay. MTT cell viability assays revealed that L. angustifolia essential oil was a slightly more potent antiproliferative agent than L. x intermedia oil on human colorectal (HCT-116) and human breast (MCF-7) cancer cells. The antibacterial activity of the essential oils was tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, and Serratia marcescens. Both oils showed good antibacterial activities with MIC values of 0.174 and 0.169 mg/mL for L. angustifolia and L. x intermedia oils, respectively. MBC determinations revealed that the antibacterial activity was bactericidal against all bacteria, except Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, both essential oils did not exhibit notable hemolytic activity on red blood cells. Overall, Lebanese L. angustifolia and L. x intermedia essential oils have promising industrial and medicinal values.

Beneficial effects of bio-fabricated selenium nanoparticles as seed nanopriming agent on seed germination in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Climate change and increasing population pressure have put the agriculture sector in an arduous situation. With increasing demand for agricultural production overuse of inputs have accentuated the negative impact on environment. Hence, sustainable agriculture is gaining prominence in recent times with an emphasis on judicious and optimum use of resources. The field of nanotechnology can immensely help in achieving sustainability in agriculture at various levels. Use of nutrients and plant protection chemicals in nano-form can increase their efficacy even at reduced doses thus decreasing their pernicious impact. Seed priming is one of the important agronomic practices with widely reported positive impacts on germination, seedling growth and pathogen resistance. In the current study, the effect and efficacy of selenium nanoparticles synthesized using phyto-extracts as a seed priming agent is studied. This nanopriming enhanced the germination, hastened the seedling emergence and growth with an increase in seedling vigour and nutrient status. This eco-friendly and economical method of synthesizing nanoparticles of various nutrient minerals can optimize the resource use thus helping in sustainable agriculture by reducing environment damage without compromising on efficacy.

A Review on Molecular Docking on HDAC Isoforms: Novel Tool for Designing Selective Inhibitors

Research into histone deacetylases (HDACs) has experienced a remarkable surge in recent years. These enzymes are key regulators of several fundamental biological processes, often associated with severe and potentially fatal diseases. Inhibition of their activity represents a promising therapeutic approach and a prospective strategy for the development of new therapeutic agents. A critical aspect of their inhibition is to achieve selectivity in terms of enzyme isoforms, which is essential to improve treatment efficacy while reducing undesirable pleiotropic effects. The development of computational chemistry tools, particularly molecular docking, is greatly enhancing the precision of designing molecules with inherent potential for specific activity. Therefore, it was considered necessary to review the molecular docking studies conducted on the major isozymes of the enzyme in order to identify the specific interactions associated with each selective HDAC inhibitor. In particular, the most critical isozymes of HDAC (1, 2, 3, 6, and 8) have been thoroughly investigated within the scope of this review.

Resveratrol exerts anxiolytic-like effects through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in rats exposed to chronic social isolation

Emerging evidence has confirmed resveratrol's (RES) antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidepressant effects. The beneficial effects of RES were confirmed for several emotional and cognitive deficits. This research aimed to assess the impacts of RES on behavior and hippocampal levels of anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory factors in rats exposed to chronic social isolation (SI) stress, which is known to induce mental disorders such as depressive-like behavior. The animals were treated by RES (20, 40, or 80 mg/kg/intraperitoneally) for 28 days following a 28-day exposure to stress. Behavioral tests, including the forced swim test (FST), open-field test (OFT), tail suspension test (TST), and sucrose preference test (SPT), assessed depressive symptoms. Finally, the animals were sacrificed, and molecular studies (qPCR and ELISA) were performed. Exposure of animals to SI dramatically increased the immobility of animals in TST and FST, enhanced the time spent in the open-field peripheral zone of the OFT, and reduced the sucrose preference rate. In addition, SI increased serum levels of corticosterone and hippocampal content of MDA, whereas it reduced hippocampal SOD and CAT activities. Moreover, SI upregulated the expression of IL-10, IL-18, and IL-1β and downregulated the expression of TGF-β in the hippocampus. RES treatment (40 & 80 mg/kg) significantly improved the behavioral alterations through the modulation of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. The 20 mg/kg RES dose was inefficient for treating SI-induced depressive-like behavior. These results indicated that RES attenuated depressive-like behavior in prolonged stressed animals. These properties might be associated with RES-mediated improvements in serum corticosterone and hippocampal inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers.

An Update on the Therapeutic Anticancer Potential of Ocimum sanctum L.: "Elixir of Life"

In most cases, cancer develops due to abnormal cell growth and subsequent tumour formation. Due to significant constraints with current treatments, natural compounds are being explored as potential alternatives. There are now around 30 natural compounds under clinical trials for the treatment of cancer. Tulsi, or Holy Basil, of the genus Ocimum, is one of the most widely available and cost-effective medicinal plants. In India, the tulsi plant has deep religious and medicinal significance. Tulsi essential oil contains a valuable source of bioactive compounds, such as camphor, eucalyptol, eugenol, alpha-bisabolene, beta-bisabolene, and beta-caryophyllene. These compounds are proposed to be responsible for the antimicrobial properties of the leaf extracts. The anticancer effects of tulsi (Ocimum sanctum L.) have earned it the title of "queen of herbs" and "Elixir of Life" in Ayurvedic treatment. Tulsi leaves, which have high concentrations of eugenol, have been shown to have anticancer properties. In a various cancers, eugenol exerts its antitumour effects through a number of different mechanisms. In light of this, the current review focuses on the anticancer benefits of tulsi and its primary phytoconstituent, eugenol, as apotential therapeutic agent against a wide range of cancer types. In recent years, tulsi has gained popularity due to its anticancer properties. In ongoing clinical trials, a number of tulsi plant compounds are being evaluated for their potential anticancer effects. This article discusses anticancer, chemopreventive, and antioxidant effects of tulsi.

An overview of natural products that modulate the expression of non-coding RNAs involved in oxidative stress and inflammation-associated disorders

Oxidative stress is a state in which oxidants are produced in excess in the body's tissues and cells, resulting in a biological imbalance amid the generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) from redox reactions. In case of insufficient antioxidants to balance, the immune system triggers signaling cascades to mount inflammatory responses. Oxidative stress can have deleterious effects on major macromolecules such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, hence, Oxidative stress and inflammation are among the multiple factors contributing to the etiology of several disorders such as diabetes, cancers, and cardiovascular diseases. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) which were once referred to as dark matter have been found to function as key regulators of gene expression through different mechanisms. They have dynamic roles in the onset and development of inflammatory and oxidative stress-related diseases, therefore, are potential targets for the control of those diseases. One way of controlling those diseases is through the use of natural products, a rich source of antioxidants that have drawn attention with several studies showing their involvement in combating chronic diseases given their enormous gains, low side effects, and toxicity. In this review, we highlighted the natural products that have been reported to target ncRNAs as mediators of their biological effects on oxidative stress and several inflammation-associated disorders. Those natural products include Baicalein, Tanshinone IIA, Geniposide, Carvacrol/Thymol, Triptolide, Oleacein, Curcumin, Resveratrol, Solarmargine, Allicin, aqueous extract or pulp of Açai, Quercetin, and Genistein. We also draw attention to some other compounds including Zanthoxylum bungeanum, Canna genus rhizome, Fuzi-ganjiang herb pair, Aronia melanocarpa, Peppermint, and Gingerol that are effective against oxidative stress and inflammation-related disorders, however, have no known effect on ncRNAs. Lastly, we touched on the many ncRNAs that were found to play a role in oxidative stress and inflammation-related disorders but have not yet been investigated as targets of a natural product. Shedding more light into these two last points of shadow will be of great interest in the valorization of natural compounds in the control and therapy of oxidative stress- and inflammation-associated disorders.

Six pairs of phenylpropanoid enantiomers from Cinnamomum mollifolium

Six pairs of undescribed phenylglycerol benzoate enantiomers, (±)-mollifolines A-F, which can also be categorized into three two-pairs of epimers, were isolated from Cinnamomum mollifolium H. W. Li (Lauraceae). The relative configurations (threo or erythro) of the epimers were determined by conformational searching of the lowest energy conformers and analyses of the relationship between the dihedral angle of H-7'─C-7'─C-8'─H-8' and the ³J_{H-7', H-8'} coupling constant according to the Karplus equation. Furthermore, intramolecular hydrogen bonds were proved to play an important role in stabilizing the lowest conformations by using reduced density gradient (RDG) method for noncovalent interactions. Chiral resolutions of these enantiomer pairs were accomplished by immobilized polysaccharide derivative-based chiral HPLC columns. Absolute configurations of the 12 optically pure isomers were finally determined by quantum chemical time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations of their electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra.

Interactions between Gut Microbiota and Polyphenols: New Insights into the Treatment of Fatigue

Fatigue seriously affects people's work efficiency and quality of life and has become a common health problem in modern societies around the world. The pathophysiology of fatigue is complex and not fully clear. To some degree, interactions between gut microbiota and host may be the cause of fatigue progression. Polyphenols such as tannin, tea polyphenols, curcumin, and soybean isoflavones relieve fatigue significantly. Studies have shown that the gut microbiota is able to convert these active compounds into more active metabolites through intestinal fermentation. However, the mechanism of anti-fatigue polyphenols is currently mainly analyzed from the perspective of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and changes in gut microbiota are rarely considered. This review focuses on gut microecology and systematically summarizes the latest theoretical and research findings on the interaction of gut microbiota, fatigue, and polyphenols. First, we outline the relationship between gut microbiota and fatigue, including changes in the gut microbiota during fatigue and how they interact with the host. Next, we describe the interactions between the gut microbiota and polyphenols in fatigue treatment (regulation of the gut microbiota by polyphenols and metabolism of polyphenols by the gut microbiota), and how the importance of potential active metabolites (such as urolithin) produced by the decomposition of polyphenols by gut microbiota is emerging. Based on the new perspective of gut microbiota, this review provides interesting insights into the mechanism of polyphenols in fatigue treatment and clarifies the potential of polyphenols as targets for anti-fatigue product development, aiming to provide a useful basis for further research and design.

Ethnomedicinal uses of Indian spices used for cancer treatment: A treatise on structure-activity relationship and signaling pathways

Cancer is among the major cause of demise worldwide. Though the array of anticancer chemical medications is available but unfortunately, they are also associated with negative health effects. The invaluable therapeutic potential of spices makes them an integral part of our daily diet. Therefore, the present work focuses on the traditional uses of 46 spices and the phytochemical analysis of 31 spices. Out of them, only 29 spices are explored for their cytotoxicity against different cancer cell lines. The pre-clinical and clinical anticancer studies of spices along with their toxicity, mechanism of actions like Wnt/β-catenin, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), JAK/STAT, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Notch-mediated pathways and Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) studies were also focused. Curcumin was found as one of the most explored bioactive in every aspect such as in-vitro, in-vivo, clinical as well as SAR anticancer studies while some other bioactive such as 1,8-Cineole, trans-Anethole, Diosgenin, Trigonelline are either unexplored or least explored for their clinical and SAR studies. In fact, traditional medicinal uses of spices also provide solid shreds of evidence for the new leads towards the invention of novel anticancer agents. Therefore, further research can be designed for the anticancer marketed formulation from spices after having their placebo and related toxicological data.

Ethnopharmacological nexus between the traditional Thai medicine theory and biologically based cancer treatment

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The two major theories utilized for diagnosis and treatment in Traditional Thai Medicine (TTM) are the Four Element Theory and the Herbal Flavor Theory. A TTM "Poh-Pu" Remedy has been effectively utilized in Thailand for cancer therapy for centuries.

AIMS OF STUDY

To investigate anti-inflammatory activity and liver cancer cytotoxicity of Poh-Pu remedy. To determine relationships between the TTM Herbal Flavor theory and the Four Element theory and total flavonoid content and biological activities of Poh-Pu Remedy plant extracts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Each plant ingredient was macerated with 95% ethanol. The extracts were investigated for cytotoxic activity against liver cancer using a sulforhodamine B assay, and anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by inhibition of nitric oxide production. The total flavonoid content was determined by an aluminum chloride colorimetric assay. The relationships between the TTM theories, total flavonoid content, and biological activities were evaluated by correlation and cluster analysis.

RESULTS

Mammea siamensis exerted potent cytotoxicity against hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell lines with an IC₅₀ of 3.15 ± 0.16 μg/mL and low cytotoxicity to the non-cancerous cells (HaCat) with an IC₅₀ 33.39 ± 0.40 μg/mL (Selective index (SI) = 10.6). Tiliacora triandra was selectively cytotoxic to cholangiocarcinama (KKU-M156) cells with an IC₅₀ of 12.65 ± 0.92 μg/mL (SI = 6.4). Curcuma comosa was the most potent anti-inflammatory inhibitor of nitric oxide production with an IC₅₀ of 2.75 ± 0.34 μg/mL. Campomanesia aromatica exhibited the highest total flavonoid content of 259.7 ± 3.21 mg quercetin equivalent/g. Pungent plants were most prevalent in the TTM remedy.

CONCLUSION

Pungent, fragrant, bitter and nauseating plants utilized in TTM cancer remedy were successfully investigated and identified several lead plants and components with cytotoxic and antiinflammatory activity that require further study. The TTM wind element theory appeared to be aligned with cancer-related activity. Biological activity results of taste from herbs related with The TTM Herbal Flavor theory. The extra-oral locations of flavor receptors are a promising target for biological activity of TTM which require further scrutiny and identified several lead plants and components with cytotoxic and antiinflammatory activities that also require further study.

Ceylon cinnamon and clove essential oils as promising free radical scavengers for skin care products

Due to adverse effects of free radicals on human skin and increasing consumer demand for natural ingredients, essential oils from basil, Ceylon cinnamon bark, clove, juniper, lavender, oregano, rosemary, tea tree, thyme, and ylang-ylang were assessed for their antiradical activity. The oils were evaluated in the concentration range of 5—0.1 mg·mL−1, in which the three reference synthetic antioxidants are most often added to mass-produced cosmetics. Among all examined samples, C. cinnamon oil at a concentration of 5 mg·mL−1 showed the strongest DPPH radical scavenging activity (0.41 mg·mL−1 IC50), followed by clove oil, BHA, α-tocopherol, and BHT (0.82, 0.84, 0.88 and 0.93 mg·mL−1 IC50), respectively. At the same concentration, the reduction power of C. cinnamon oil was higher (1.64 mg·mL−1 Trolox Eq.) than that of α-tocopherol and BHT (1.42 and 0.80 mmol·L−1 Trolox Eq., respectively) but lower than that of BHA (1.81 mmol·L–1 Trolox Eq.). Antiradical activity of the other eight essential oils was low or negligible. C. cinnamon oil and clove oil are promising antiradical agents for skin care but according to our GC-MS analysis, these oils contain 0.29 % of cinnamaldehyde, 0.03 % of linalool, 0.02 % of D-limonene, and 0.02 % of eugenol or 0.41 % of eugenol and 0.002 % of linalool, respectively, which are monitored contact allergens in cosmetics. Such a product is not be suitable for consumers allergic to these substances but for the vast majority of consumers it does not pose a risk in terms of allergic manifestations.

Evaluation of Antioxidant Potential of Commercial Cinnamon Samples and Its Vasculature Effects

Growing concerns on free radicals are the oxidative processes associated with physiological damage. The consumption of functional foods and use of plants with antioxidant capacity are widespread. Given the importance of determining antioxidant capacity in relation to the therapeutic effect, this study was aimed at evaluating cinnamon extract (Cinnamomum sp.) in commercial samples by spectrophotometric and voltammetric methods and assessing the vascular activity of some samples. The spectrophotometric methods performed were DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrihydrazine), ABTS (2,21-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)), and Folin-Ciocalteu radical sequestration assays. For the electrochemical experiments, a three-electrode system was used, consisting of carbon paste electrode, platinum wire, and Ag/AgCl/KClsat, representing the working, auxiliary, and reference electrodes, respectively. The electroanalytical methods used were differential pulse, square wave, and cyclic voltammetries. The extracts were prepared in hydroalcoholic solution. A calibration curve with gallic acid was calculated to quantify their equivalent amounts in the analyzed extract. The correlation between the electrochemical approach and the total phenols calculated by the ABTS, DPPH, and Folin-Ciocalteu methods was 0.63, 0.7, and 0.73, respectively, with 1 being an ideal directly proportional correlation. The correlation between spectrophotometric methods was 0.83. A biosensor was developed in a carbon paste electrode using the enzyme laccase, obtained by the fungus Marasmiellus colocasiae. It was observed that the antioxidant profile of the cinnamon samples had an analytical sign improvement of up to 4 times when compared with the electrode without the modification. The samples were analyzed by mass spectrometer, and the main chemical markers found were coumarin, cinnamaldehyde, and eugenol. Pharmacological trials showed that these samples also induce a significant vasorelaxant effect associated to antioxidant potential on vascular injury induced by oxidative stress. Thus, cinnamon showed a high antioxidant capacity, in agreement with the results obtained in other studies, emphasizing its importance as a functional food.

Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Complex Phenylpropanoid Derivatives by the Botrytis cinerea Secretome and Evaluation of Their Wnt Inhibition Activity

In this study, a series of complex phenylpropanoid derivatives were obtained by chemoenzymatic biotransformation of ferulic acid, caffeic acid, and a mixture of both acids using the enzymatic secretome of Botrytis cinerea. These substrates were incubated with fungal enzymes, and the reactions were monitored using state-of-the-art analytical methods. Under such conditions, a series of dimers, trimers, and tetramers were generated. The reactions were optimized and scaled up. The resulting mixtures were purified by high-resolution semi-preparative HPLC combined with dry load introduction. This approach generated a series of 23 phenylpropanoid derivatives, 11 of which are described here for the first time. These compounds are divided into 12 dimers, 9 trimers (including a completely new structural scaffold), and 2 tetramers. Elucidation of their structures was performed with classical spectroscopic methods such as NMR and HRESIMS analyses. The resulting compound series were analyzed for anti-Wnt activity in TNBC cells, with several derivatives demonstrating specific inhibition.

Anticancer Properties of Eugenol: A Review

Conventional cancer treatments have shown several unfavourable adverse effects, as well as an increase in anticancer drug resistance, which worsens the impending cancer therapy. Thus, the emphasis is currently en route for natural products. There is currently great interest in the natural bioactive components from medicinal plants possessing anticancer characteristics. For example, clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.) (Family Myrtaceae) is a highly prized spice that has been historically utilized as a food preservative and for diverse medical uses. It is reckoned amongst the valued sources of phenolics. It is indigenous to Indonesia but currently is cultivated in various places of the world. Among diverse active components, eugenol, the principal active component of S. aromaticum, has optimistic properties comprising antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer actions. Eugenol (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol) is a musky oil that is mainly obtained from clove. It has long been utilized all over the world as a result of its broad properties like antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. Eugenol continues to pique investigators’ interest because of its multidirectional activities, which suggests it could be used in medications to treat different ailments. Anticancer effects of eugenol are accomplished by various mechanisms like inducing cell death, cell cycle arrest, inhibition of migration, metastasis, and angiogenesis on several cancer cell lines. Besides, eugenol might be utilized as an adjunct remedy for patients who are treated with conventional chemotherapy. This combination leads to a boosted effectiveness with decreased toxicity. The present review focuses on the anticancer properties of eugenol to treat several cancer types and their possible mechanisms.

Herbal Infusions as a Valuable Functional Food

Herbal infusions are an underestimated and easy to intake a source of biologically active natural compounds (polyphenols), which, in the dissolved form, are more easily absorbed. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the potential of herbal infusions as a functional food to reduce postprandial hyperglycemia (inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase) and to reduce the effects of increased blood glucose level (antioxidant effect-DPPH, CUPRAC, and Fe²⁺ chelating assays, as well as anti-inflammatory activity-inhibition of collagenase). We showed that polyphenols are present in the examined aqueous herbal infusions (including chlorogenic and gallic acids). Subsequently, our research has shown that herbal infusions containing cinnamon bark, mulberry leaves, and blackberry fruits most strongly inhibit glucose release from complex carbohydrates, and that all herbal infusions can, to different degrees, reduce the effects of elevated blood sugar. In conclusion, infusions prepared from herbal blends could be recommended to prevent type II diabetes.

Recent advances in nanomedicine-based delivery of histone deacetylase inhibitors for cancer therapy

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) are cancer therapeutics that operate at the epigenetic level and which have recently gained wide attention. However, the applications of HDACi are generally hindered by their poor physicochemical characteristics and unfavorable pharmacokinetic profile. Inspired by the approved nanomedicine-based drugs in the market, nanocarriers could provide a resort to circumvent the limitations imposed by HDACi. Enhanced tumor targeting, improved cellular uptake and reduced toxicity are major advantages offered by HDACi-loaded nanoparticles. More importantly, site-specific drug delivery can be achieved via engineered stimuli-responsive nanosystems. In this review we elucidate the anticancer mechanisms of HDACi and their structure-activity relationships, with a special focus on their nanomedicine-based delivery, different drug loading concepts and their implications.

Plant Feed Additives as Natural Alternatives to the Use of Synthetic Antioxidant Vitamins on Livestock Mammals' Performances, Health, and Oxidative Status: A Review of the Literature in the Last 20 Years

In the last two decades, the interest in natural plant feed additives (PFA) as alternatives to synthetic vitamins in livestock nutrition has increased. After a systematic review, a total of 19 peer-reviewed papers published between 2000 and 2020 were retained to evaluate the antioxidant effects of PFA compared to synthetic antioxidant vitamins (mainly vitamin E; VitE) in livestock nutrition. These studies demonstrated that PFAs could be as efficient as VitE in counteracting oxidative stress in pigs, rabbits, and ruminants. However, PFAs only positively affected animals’ growth performance and feed efficiency in some monogastric studies. The PFA can affect antioxidant enzyme activity in a dose- and method of administration-dependent manner. The antioxidant capacity of both PFA and VitE were depressed in cows fed with diets rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids. Variability among studies could be related to species differences. Despite the interest of the feed industry sector in PFA, there are still very few studies evaluating their antioxidant effect in species other than poultry.

Hot-Melt-Extruded Active Films Prepared from EVOH/Trans-Cinnamaldehyde Blends Intended for Food Packaging Applications

In this work, novel active films based on ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) and cinnamaldehyde (CIN) were successfully obtained employing a hybrid technique consisting of a two-step protocol involving the preparation of a polymeric EVOH-CIN masterbatch by solvent-casting for its further utilization in the preparation of bioactive EVOH-based films by melt extrusion processing. The influence of CIN over the EVOH matrix was studied in terms of optical, morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties. Optically transparent films were obtained and the incorporation of cinnamaldehyde resulted in yellow-colored films, producing a blocking effect in the UV region. A decrease in the glass transition temperature was observed in the formulations containing cinnamaldehyde, indicating a plasticizing effect. This phenomenon was confirmed by an increase in the elongation at break values of the extruded films. Results from thermogravimetric analysis determined a slight decrease in the thermal stability of EVOH provoked by the vaporization of the bioactive compound. Bioactive properties of the films were also studied; the presence of residual cinnamaldehyde in EVOH after being subjected to an extrusion process conferred some radical scavenging activity determined by the DPPH assay whereas films were able to exert antifungal activity in vapor phase against Penicillium expansum. Therefore, the present work shows the potential of the hybrid technique employed in this study for the preparation of bioactive films by a ready industrial process technology for food packaging applications.

Microencapsulation of Essential Oils by Spray-Drying and Influencing Factors

Essential oils (EOs) are known as any aromatic oily organic substances which are naturally synthesized in plants. Exhibiting a broad range of biological activities, EOs have played a key role in numerous industries for ages, including pharmaceutical, textile, and food. However, the volatility and high sensitivity to environmental influences pose challenges to the application of EOs on industrial scale. Microencapsulation via the spray-drying method is one of the promising techniques to overcome these challenges, thanks to the presence of wall materials that properly protect the core EOs from oxidation and evaporation. By optimization of key factors related to the infeed emulsion properties and spray-drying process, the encapsulation efficiency and retention of encapsulated EOs could be significantly improved, thus allowing a wide range of EO applications. This review attempts to discuss on different determining factors of the spray-drying process to develop an effective encapsulation formula for EOs. Furthermore, recent applications of encapsulated EOs in the fields of foods, pharmaceuticals, and textile industries are also thoroughly addressed.

Combined effects of Ziziphora clinopodioides essential oil and lysozyme to extend shelf life and control Listeria monocytogenes in Balkan-style fresh sausage

This study was done to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of Ziziphora clinopodioides essential oil (ZCEO) (0, 0.1, and 0.3%) and lysozyme (0 and 400 µg/g) on control of Listeria (L.) monocytogenes and also microbial, chemical, and organoleptic properties of Balkan type fresh sausage under modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) during 13-day storage at refrigerated condition. Results revealed that treated sausages had a slower rate of increase in microbial count than control and sausages containing ZCEO (0.3%) and lysozyme (400 µg/g) possess the lowest microbial count at the end of the storage period. A reduction between 0.90 and 2.05 log CFU/g in L. monocytogenes was recorded for the treated sausage samples in comparison with control samples after 13 days of storage. Based on chemical findings, at the end of the storage, TVB-N value in the control sample gradually increased to 34.30 mg/100 g, whereas TVB-N values of the treated samples with each of the lysozyme and ZCEO alone or in combination were below 25 mg/100 g during the entire storage period. The final TBARS value for the control sample was 0.58 mg malondialdehyde/kg, while the TBARS values for the treated samples remained lower as 0.46 mg malondialdehyde/kg. Regarding sensory attributes, adding ZCEO results in insignificant lower scores in odor and taste than control in the early days of the study (p > .05). It can be argued that ZCEO alone or in combination with lysozyme showed good antimicrobial and antioxidant activities and may have this potential to be used as a preservative in fresh sausage without any significant adverse sensory effects (p > .05).

Perspectives About Modulating Host Immune System in Targeting SARS-CoV-2 in India

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus induced disease-2019 (COVID-19), is a type of common cold virus responsible for a global pandemic which requires immediate measures for its containment. India has the world's largest population aged between 10 and 40 years. At the same time, India has a large number of individuals with diabetes, hypertension and kidney diseases, who are at a high risk of developing COVID-19. A vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2, may offer immediate protection from the causative agent of COVID-19, however, the protective memory may be short-lived. Even if vaccination is broadly successful in the world, India has a large and diverse population with over one-third being below the poverty line. Therefore, the success of a vaccine, even when one becomes available, is uncertain, making it necessary to focus on alternate approaches of tackling the disease. In this review, we discuss the differences in COVID-19 death/infection ratio between urban and rural India; and the probable role of the immune system, co-morbidities and associated nutritional status in dictating the death rate of COVID-19 patients in rural and urban India. Also, we focus on strategies for developing masks, vaccines, diagnostics and the role of drugs targeting host-virus protein-protein interactions in enhancing host immunity. We also discuss India's strengths including the resources of medicinal plants, good food habits and the role of information technology in combating COVID-19. We focus on the Government of India's measures and strategies for creating awareness in the containment of COVID-19 infection across the country.

Natural Bioactive Compounds Useful in Clinical Management of Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a clinical manifestation characterized by a plethora of comorbidities, including hyperglycemia, abdominal obesity, arterial hypertension, and dyslipidemia. All MetS comorbidities participate to induce a low-grade inflammation state and oxidative stress, typical of this syndrome. MetS is related to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and early death, with an important impact on health-care costs. For its clinic management a poly-pharmaceutical therapy is often required, but this can cause side effects and reduce the patient's compliance. For this reason, finding a valid and alternative therapeutic strategy, natural and free of side effects, could represent a useful tool in the fight the MetS. In this context, the use of functional foods, and the assumption of natural bioactive compounds (NBCs), could exert beneficial effects on body weight, blood pressure and glucose metabolism control, on endothelial damage, on the improvement of lipid profile, on the inflammatory state, and on oxidative stress. This review focuses on the possible beneficial role of NBCs in the prevention and in the clinical management of MetS and its comorbidities.

Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical Indices, Duodenal Histomorphology, and Cecal Microbiota of Broiler Chickens Fed on Diets Supplemented with Cinnamon Bark Powder at Prestarter and Starter Phases

Ross 308 broiler chicks (n = 240) aged 1 day were assigned to five groups for eight replicates (six chicks for each) (3♂ and 3♀). Basal dietary groups were supplemented by 2000, 4000, and 6000 mg/kg cinnamon (CN) for 21 days. Basal diet alone was used as a negative control, and basal antibiotic diet (Colimox) was used as a positive control. At 10, 14, and 21 days of age, chicks that received 2000 mg CN and Colimox had a higher body weight, resulting in an increase in body weight gain. CN also resulted in the maximum improvement in the feed conversion ratio and feed efficiency over 1-21 days at the level of 2000 mg/kg. At days 10, the maximum relative breast weight was 2000 mg/kg of CN. Mean serum albumin concentrations, duodenal villus height, and goblet cell density increased (p < 0.05) by 2000 mg/kg of CN, and mean serum globulin and total protein concentrations and crypt depth increased (p < 0.05) by 6000 mg/kg of CN compared with control. Increased cecal Escherichia coli number was CN dose-dependent. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of 2000 mg/kg CN can be applied as an alternative to in-feed antibiotics for broiler starter diet.

Comparative Efficacy of Selected Phytobiotics with Halquinol and Tetracycline on Gut Morphology, Ileal Digestibility, Cecal Microbiota Composition and Growth Performance in Broiler Chickens

Simple Summary

Antimicrobial growth promoters (AGPs) are banned in Europe but still used in many countries including Asia. However, their indiscriminate use resulted in antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains that possibly transfer the resistant genes to the microorganisms pertinent to human health. Hence, it is essential to find alternatives that can improve the production performance in broiler chickens. In this scenario, phytobiotics or phytogenic feed additives (PFAs) are widely investigated to evaluate their influence on improving gut health, increasing digestibility, and thereby the growth performance. The present study is a continuity of our experiments on dietary inclusion of Piper betle and Persicaria odorata leaf meal and the first of its kind to evaluate the comparative efficacy of phytobiotics (Piper betle and Persicaria odorata leaf meal), with halquinol and tetracycline in broiler chickens. The current experiment findings indicated that, in comparison with the control group, either of the dietary treatments positively modulated the gut morphology, improved ileal digestibility, maintained the intestinal population of Lactobacillus and reduced the pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Clostridium spp., thus improved the growth performance in broiler chickens.

Abstract

The current experiment was designed to estimate the comparative efficacy of selected phytobiotics Persicaria odorata leaf meal (POLM) and Piper betle leaf meal (PBLM) with halquinol, and tetracycline in broiler chickens. The 150-day-old broiler chickens were randomly assigned to five dietary groups. The dietary supplementation groups were the basal diet (BD), which served as the negative control (NC), and BD + 0.2 g/kg tetracycline, which served as the positive control (PC); BD + 0.03 g/kg halquinol (HAL), BD + 8 g/kg POLM (Po8), and BD + 4 g/kg PBLM (Pb4) were the treatment groups. Growth performance, gut morphology, ileal digestibility, and cecal microbiota composition were measured. On day 21, the body weight gain (BWG) was enhanced (p < 0.05) in the broiler chickens fed on phytobiotics (Po8 and Pb4) relative to the NC group, however, on day 42 and in terms of overall growth performance, BWG was enhanced (p < 0.05 in diets (Po8, Pb4, HAL and PC) in comparison with the NC group. Conversely, feed conversion ratio (FCR) was recorded reduced (p < 0.05) in Pb4, Po8, HAL, and PC group in comparison with the NC group. Supplementation of phytobiotics (Po8 and Pb4), HAL and PC, positively improved the gut morphology compared to the NC group. Furthermore, the maximum (p < 0.05) villus height (VH) in duodenum and jejunum was observed in broilers fed on diet Pb4. Supplementation of phytobiotics, HAL and PC, improved (p < 0.05) the digestibility of dry matter (DM) (except for HAL), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), and ash compared to the NC group. Dietary supplementation of phytobiotics (Po8 and Pb4), HAL and PC, significantly reduced the E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus (except for HAL) counts compared to the NC group. However, supplementation of Pb4 resulted in significantly decreased total anaerobic bacteria and Clostridium spp. counts compared to the NC group. In addition, supplementation of phytobiotics significantly increased the Lactobacillus count compared to HAL, PC, and NC groups. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of phytobiotics improved the gut morphology, positively modulated and maintained the dynamics of cecal microbiota with enhanced nutrient digestibility, thus, increased the growth performance. Based on current results, phytobiotics could be used as an alternative to AGPs for sustainable broiler chicken production.

Phytochemical and pharmacological review of Cinnamomum verum J. Presl-a versatile spice used in food and nutrition

Cinnamomum verum is the widely used spice for its medicinal and culinary uses since ages. It is native to Sri Lanka and southern India but also distributed in many Asian, Caribbean, Australian and African countries. It is widely used in food preparations and industrial products like candies, chewing gums, mouthwash and toothpaste. It is also used to treat asthma, bronchitis, diarrhea, headache, inflammation and cardiac disorders. Cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, caryophyllene, cinnamyl acetate and cinnamic acid are the major compounds found in its essential oil. These compounds exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, wound healing, anti-HIV, anti-anxiety and antidepressant, etc. This review highlights its comprehensive and up-to-date information on taxonomy, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical composition, pharmacological and toxicity activities. Structure-activity relationship, mechanism of action and some research gaps has also been provided. Owing to its immense medicinal importance, more well-designed in-vivo and clinical studies are required.

Evaluating the In Vitro Potential of Natural Extracts to Protect Lipids from Oxidative Damage

Lipid peroxidation is a chemical reaction known to have negative impacts on living organisms' health and on consumer products' quality and safety. Therefore, it has been the subject of extensive scientific research concerning the possibilities to reduce it, both in vivo and in nonliving organic matrices. It can be started by a variety of oxidants, by both ROS-dependent and -independent pathways, all of them reviewed in this document. Another feature of this reaction is the capacity of lipid peroxyl radicals to react with the non-oxidized lipids, propagating the reaction even in the absence of an external trigger. Due to these specificities of lipid peroxidation, regular antioxidant strategies-although being helpful in controlling oxidative triggers-are not tailored to tackle this challenge. Thus, more suited antioxidant compounds or technologies are required and sought after by researchers, either in the fields of medicine and physiology, or in product development and biotechnology. Despite the existence of several laboratory procedures associated with the study of lipid peroxidation, a methodology to perform bioprospecting of natural products to prevent lipid peroxidation (a Lipid Peroxidation Inhibitory Potential assay, LPIP) is not yet well established. In this review, a critical look into the possibility of testing the capacity of natural products to inhibit lipid peroxidation is presented. In vitro systems used to peroxidize a lipid sample are also reviewed on the basis of lipid substrate origin, and, for each of them, procedural insights, oxidation initiation strategies, and lipid peroxidation extent monitoring are discussed.

The Antioxidant and Antihyperglycemic Activities of Bottlebrush Plant (Callistemon lanceolatus) Stem Extracts

Background: Diabetes mellitus, a metabolic disease, is a major health concern today throughout the world. Callistemon lanceolatus (Myrtaceae), commonly known as bottlebrush, has been used by Indian tribal communities for the treatment of many diseases. The purpose of this study was to explore antioxidant and antihyperglycemic potential of methanolic and aqueous extracts of the stem of C. lanceolatus in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Phytoconstituents of C. lanceolatus stem were extracted in methanol and water sequentially followed by phytochemical analysis. The in vitro antioxidant potential of aqueous and methanolic extracts was assessed by metal ion chelating, free radical scavenging, and reducing power assays. The in vivo antihyperglycemic activity of the oral methanolic extract was studied in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Bodyweight and blood glucose were monitored regularly. After the treatment period, serum was examined for total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), bilirubin, creatinine, urea, glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Results: Methanolic extract exhibited superior antioxidant activity to aqueous extract. A marked increase in levels of serum markers, viz., glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, bilirubin, urea, creatinine, SGOT, SGPT, and ALP along with a reduction in HDL was observed in diabetic rats. Methanol extract treatment for 28 days accounted for a decrease in blood glucose and other metabolic markers accompanied by an improvement in body weight and HDL level in hyperglycemic rats. Conclusions: The present study suggests that C. lanceolatus methanolic stem extract possesses antioxidant and antihyperglycemic activities and has potential as a therapeutic agent in diabetes.

Abdel-Daim M, Mosqueda J, Igarashi I. Phytochemical Characterization and Chemotherapeutic Potential of Cinnamomum verum Extracts on the Multiplication of Protozoan Parasites In Vitro and In Vivo

Cinnamomum verum is a commonly used herbal plant that has several documented properties against various diseases. The existing study evaluated the inhibitory effect of acetonic extract of C. verum (AECV) and ethyl acetate extract of C. verum (EAECV) against piroplasm parasites in vitro and in vivo. The drug-exposure viability assay was tested on Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK), mouse embryonic fibroblast (NIH/3T3) and human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) cells. Qualitative phytochemical estimation revealed that AECV and EAECV containing multiple bioactive constituents namely alkaloids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids and remarkable amounts of polyphenols and flavonoids. AECV and EAECV inhibited B. bovis, B. bigemina, B. divergens, B. caballi, and T. equi multiplication at half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of 23.1 ± 1.4, 56.6 ± 9.1, 33.4 ± 2.1, 40.3 ± 7.5, 18.8 ± 1.6 µg/mL, and 40.1 ± 8.5, 55.6 ± 1.1, 45.7 ± 1.9, 50.2 ± 6.2, and 61.5 ± 5.2 µg/mL, respectively. In the cytotoxicity assay, AECV and EAECV affected the viability of MDBK, NIH/3T3 and HFF cells with half-maximum effective concentrations (EC50) of 440 ± 10.6, 816 ± 12.7 and 914 ± 12.2 µg/mL and 376 ± 11.2, 610 ± 7.7 and 790 ± 12.4 µg/mL, respectively. The in vivo experiment showed that AECV and EAECV were effective against B. microti in mice at 150 mg/kg. These results showed that C. verum extracts are potential antipiroplasm drugs after further studies in some clinical cases.

Beneficial Effects of Dietary Polyphenols on Gut Microbiota and Strategies to Improve Delivery Efficiency

The human intestine contains an intricate ecological community of dwelling bacteria, referred as gut microbiota (GM), which plays a pivotal role in host homeostasis. Multiple factors could interfere with this delicate balance, including genetics, age, antibiotics, as well as environmental factors, particularly diet, thus causing a disruption of microbiota equilibrium (dysbiosis). Growing evidences support the involvement of GM dysbiosis in gastrointestinal (GI) and extra-intestinal cardiometabolic diseases, namely obesity and diabetes. This review firstly overviews the role of GM in health and disease, then critically reviews the evidences regarding the influence of dietary polyphenols in GM based on preclinical and clinical data, ending with strategies under development to improve efficiency of delivery. Although the precise mechanisms deserve further clarification, preclinical and clinical data suggest that dietary polyphenols present prebiotic properties and exert antimicrobial activities against pathogenic GM, having benefits in distinct disorders. Specifically, dietary polyphenols have been shown ability to modulate GM composition and function, interfering with bacterial quorum sensing, membrane permeability, as well as sensitizing bacteria to xenobiotics. In addition, can impact on gut metabolism and immunity and exert anti-inflammatory properties. In order to overcome the low bioavailability, several different approaches have been developed, aiming to improve solubility and transport of dietary polyphenols throughout the GI tract and deliver in the targeted intestinal regions. Although more research is still needed, particularly translational and clinical studies, the biotechnological progresses achieved during the last years open up good perspectives to, in a near future, be able to improve the use of dietary polyphenols modulating GM in a broad range of disorders characterized by a dysbiotic phenotype.

Therapeutic potential of Aloe vera-A miracle gift of nature

BACKGROUND

Aloe vera is commonly used in the primary health care of human beings since time immemorial. It is an herb widely used in various traditional systems of medicine worldwide. Systematic and scientific investigation on A. vera as a medicinal plant has drawn considerable attention, and many laboratories are involved in isolation, characterization and evaluation of phytoconstituents for their nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to provide an overview of the phytochemical, biological and medicinal attributes of A. vera against various diseases with special emphasis on underlying mechanisms of action.

METHODS

PubMed, EBOSCO host, Science Direct, Scopus, and Cochrane library databases were utilized to search literature published between1977 and 2019 (till March). Major keywords used in various combinations included: Aloe vera, phytochemistry, metabolism, pharmacological activity, prevention, treatment, health, disease, in vivo, in vitro, and clinical studies.

RESULTS

Various biological and pharmacological activities of A. vera, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, anticancer, and skin-protective and wound-healing responses, have been attributed to the presence of many active compounds, including anthraquinones, anthrones, chromones, flavonoids, amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.

CONCLUSION

Based on various preclinical studies, A. vera constituents have enormous potential to prevent and treat various diseases. Randomized clinical trials are needed to understand the full therapeutic potential of this unique medicinal plant.

Inhibition of neutrophil migration and reduction of oxidative stress by ethyl p-coumarate in acute and chronic inflammatory models

BACKGROUND

It is well known that medicinal plants and their products are relevant candidates for the treatment of inflammatory conditions. Ethyl p-coumarate is a phenylpropanoid that has similar structure to others anti-inflammatory and antioxidant substances. However, these activities have never been tested.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ethyl p-coumarate on inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters.

STUDY DESIGN

This is an experimental study to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of ethyl p-coumarate in acute and chronic models of inflammation.

METHODS

The anti-inflammatory effect of ethyl p-coumarate was evaluated in Swiss mice by carrageenan-induced paw edema model (1%, 50 μl), followed by histological analysis, and edema induced by compound 48/80 (12 µg/paw), histamine (100  µg/paw), serotonin (100 µg/paw) and prostaglandin E2 (3 nmol/paw) in comparison to indomethacin treatment (10 mg/kg, p.o.). In addition, peritonitis was induced by carrageenan (500 μg/cavity) to neutrophil and total leukocytes counting, myeloperoxidase (MPO), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and 8 (IL-8), nitrite (NO₂^-), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) measurements. The arthritis model was induced with Freund's complete adjuvant (id. 0.1 ml) in female Wistar rats, with measurement of joint diameter and X-ray. Changes in gastric tissue of Swiss mice were analyzed in comparison to indomethacin (20  mg/kg, p.o.).

RESULTS

After treatment with ethyl p-coumarate, the animals had no apparent toxic effects, and significantly inhibited paw edema induced by edematogenic agents, neutrophil (p < 0.001) and total leukocyte (p < 0.001) migration, MPO (p < 0.01), IL-6 (p < 0.05) and IL-8 (p < 0.5), MDA (p < 0.5), GSH (p < 0.5), NO₂^- (p < 0.001), joint thickness and bones changes. Furthermore, were not observed significant formation of gastric lesions.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, these results suggest that ethyl p-coumarate exhibits anti-inflammatory activity through the inhibition of inflammatory mediators and leukocyte migration without causing gastric lesions.

Phytosterols and triterpenes from Morinda lucida Benth. exhibit binding tendency against class I HDAC and HDAC7 isoforms

The important role of histone deacetylases (HDACs) in the development of cancer has been demonstrated by various studies. Thus targeting HDACs with inhibitors is a major focus in anticancer drug research. Although few synthetic HDAC inhibitors (HDIs) have been approved for cancer treatment, they have significant undesirable side effects. Therefore emphases have been placed on natural HDIs as substitutes for the synthetic ones. In a bid to identify more HDIs, this study evaluated the binding tendency of compounds derived from Morinda lucida Benth. towards selected HDACs for the discovery of potent HDIs as potential candidates for anticancer therapeutics, based on the report of anticancer potentials of Morinda lucida-derived extracts and compounds. Givinostat and 49 Morinda-lucida derived compounds were docked against selected HDAC isoforms using AutodockVina, while binding interactions were viewed with Discovery Studio Visualizer, BIOVIA, 2016. Druglikeness and Absorption-Distribution-Metabolism-Excretion (ADME) parameters of the top 7 compounds were evaluated using the Swiss online ADME web tool. The results revealed that out of the 49 compounds, 3 phytosterols (campesterol, cycloartenol, and stigmasterol) and 2 triterpenes (oleanolic acid and ursolic acid) exhibited high HDAC inhibitory activity compared to givinostat. These 5 compounds also fulfill oral drugability of Lipinski rule of five. Morinda lucida-derived phytosterols and triterpenes show high binding tendency towards the selected HDACs and exhibited good drugability characteristics and are therefore good candidates for further studies in the search for therapies against abnormalities linked with over-activity of HDACs.

Ameliorating efficacy of eugenol against metanil yellow induced toxicity in albino Wistar rats

Metanil yellow, an azo dye, is a non-permitted synthetic food colour used extensively in India and other developing countries as food additive. Present communication reports the toxic effects of metanil yellow on hepatic and kidney tissues and its amelioration by eugenol, vitamin E and vitamin C. Oral administration of metanil yellow in albino Wistar rats for 28 days caused elevation in serum enzymes (glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, gluatamate pyruvate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase), and total bilirubin along with decline in albumin and total protein levels. At tissue level, activities of oxidative stress markers viz., superoxide dismutase, catalase and reduced glutathione in liver and kidney were reduced to about half while malondialdehyde level increased significantly under the influence of metanil yellow. Co-administration of eugenol/vitamin E/vitamin C in metanil yellow intoxicated rats exhibited considerable restoration of oxidative stress as well as hepatic and renal function markers in serum and tissues. The study revealed that eugenol has antioxidant, hepatoprotective and renoprotective activities.

Protective effect of cinnamon against acetaminophen-mediated cellular damage and apoptosis in renal tissue

Acetaminophen, APAP, is a common over-the-counter drug with antipyretic-analgesic action. When APAP is used in large doses, it causes hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity but safe at therapeutic doses. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) is extensively used in folk medicine due to its high content of natural antioxidants. The current investigation was planned to study the possible ameliorative effect of cinnamon toward induced APAP-apoptosis and cellular damage in renal cells. Four groups (nine rats each) were used; negative control group administrated distilled water for 15 days; positive control APAP group administrated a single dose of APAP (1 g/kg) orally on the last day; APAP+Cin L (200 mg/kg) and APAP+Cin H (400 mg/kg) aqueous extract of cinnamon orally once a day for 15 days. An hour after the last dose of cinnamon, all rats in the third and fourth group were administrated a single dose of APAP (1 g/kg) orally. GC/MS analysis was performed to identify the plant used in the study. APAP markedly increased serum levels of creatinine, BUN, and glucose and decreased levels of albumin and total protein. In addition, APAP could also exert severe alteration in the kidney histopathology along with upregulation of caspase-3 and PCNA. However, pre-treatment with cinnamon ameliorated the APAP-induced cellular alterations and apoptosis, possibly through its high content of antioxidants.

Characterization of Ecklonia cava Alginate Films Containing Cinnamon Essential Oils

In this study, Ecklonia cava alginate (ECA) was used as a base material for biodegradable films. Calcium chloride (CaCl₂) was used as a cross-linking agent, and various concentrations (0%, 0.4%, 0.7%, and 1.0%) of cinnamon leaf oil (CLO) or cinnamon bark oil (CBO) were incorporated to prepare active films. The ECA film containing 3% CaCl₂ had a tensile strength (TS) of 17.82 MPa and an elongation at break (E) of 10.36%, which were higher than those of the film without CaCl₂. As the content of essential oils (EOs) increased, TS decreased and E increased. Addition of CLO or CBO also provided antioxidant and antimicrobial activities to the ECA films. The antioxidant activity of the ECA film with CBO was higher than that of the film containing CLO. In particular, the scavenging activities of the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radicals in the ECA film containing 1% CBO were 50.45% and 99.37%, respectively. In contrast, the antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes were superior in the ECA films with CLO. These results suggest that ECA films containing CLO or CBO can be applied as new active packaging materials.

An Overview on the Anti-inflammatory Potential and Antioxidant Profile of Eugenol

The bioactive compounds found in foods and medicinal plants are attractive molecules for the development of new drugs with action against several diseases, such as those associated with inflammatory processes, which are commonly related to oxidative stress. Many of these compounds have an appreciable inhibitory effect on oxidative stress and inflammatory response, and may contribute in a preventive way to improve the quality of life through the use of a diet rich in these compounds. Eugenol is a natural compound that has several pharmacological activities, action on the redox status, and applications in the food and pharmaceutical industry. Considering the importance of this compound, the present review discusses its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, demonstrating its mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Targeting Histone Deacetylases with Natural and Synthetic Agents: An Emerging Anticancer Strategy

Cancer initiation and progression are the result of genetic and/or epigenetic alterations. Acetylation-mediated histone/non-histone protein modification plays an important role in the epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Histone modification is controlled by the balance between histone acetyltransferase and (HAT) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) enzymes. Imbalance between the activities of these two enzymes is associated with various forms of cancer. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) regulate the activity of HDACs and are being used in cancer treatment either alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic drugs/radiotherapy. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already approved four compounds, namely vorinostat, romidepsin, belinostat, and panobinostat, as HDACi for the treatment of cancer. Several other HDACi of natural and synthetic origin are under clinical trial for the evaluation of efficiency and side-effects. Natural compounds of plant, fungus, and actinomycetes origin, such as phenolics, polyketides, tetrapeptide, terpenoids, alkaloids, and hydoxamic acid, have been reported to show potential HDAC-inhibitory activity. Several HDACi of natural and dietary origin are butein, protocatechuic aldehyde, kaempferol (grapes, green tea, tomatoes, potatoes, and onions), resveratrol (grapes, red wine, blueberries and peanuts), sinapinic acid (wine and vinegar), diallyl disulfide (garlic), and zerumbone (ginger). HDACi exhibit their antitumor effect by the activation of cell cycle arrest, induction of apoptosis and autophagy, angiogenesis inhibition, increased reactive oxygen species generation causing oxidative stress, and mitotic cell death in cancer cells. This review summarizes the HDACs classification, their aberrant expression in cancerous tissue, structures, sources, and the anticancer mechanisms of HDACi, as well as HDACi that are either FDA-approved or under clinical trials.

Renoprotective effect of cinnamaldehyde in food color induced toxicity

Present study reports the effects of metanil yellow, a non-permitted food colouring dye, on the biomarkers of oxidative stress and kidney function in blood and renal tissue of albino Wistar rats and its mitigation by cinnamaldehyde, a major phytoconstituents of cinnamon. Oral administration of metanil yellow in rats caused about 70% reduction in ferric reducing ability (FRAP 5.1 μM/L) and 50% decline in reduced glutathione (GSH 59.27 nM/mg protein) content in plasma with simultaneous increase in serum creatinine level. In kidney tissues, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and GSH dropped while malondialdehyde (MDA) content increased. Co-administration of cinnamaldehyde with metanil yellow showed considerable restorative effect on the biomarkers of plasma antioxidant status and kidney function i.e., FRAP (11.5 μM/L), GSH (83-88.5 nM/mg protein), urea, creatinine, SOD, catalase and MDA. Administration of cinnamaldehyde restored the kidney enzyme activities up to 75% of the base level. The study revealed that reno-protective action of cinnamaldehyde was mediated by lowering oxidative stress level.

Analgesic-Like Activity of Essential Oil Constituents: An Update

The constituents of essential oils are widely found in foods and aromatic plants giving characteristic odor and flavor. However, pharmacological studies evidence its therapeutic potential for the treatment of several diseases and promising use as compounds with analgesic-like action. Considering that pain affects a significant part of the world population and the need for the development of new analgesics, this review reports on the current studies of essential oils’ chemical constituents with analgesic-like activity, including a description of their mechanisms of action and chemical aspects.

Chemistry, Antimicrobial Mechanisms, and Antibiotic Activities of Cinnamaldehyde against Pathogenic Bacteria in Animal Feeds and Human Foods

Cinnamaldehyde is a major constituent of cinnamon essential oils produced by aromatic cinnamon plants. This compound has been reported to exhibit antimicrobial properties in vitro in laboratory media and in animal feeds and human foods contaminated with disease-causing bacteria including Bacillus cereus, Campylobacter jejuni, Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella enterica. This integrated review surveys and interprets our current knowledge of the chemistry, analysis, safety, mechanism of action, and antibiotic activities of cinnamaldehyde in food animal (cattle, lambs, calves, pigs, poultry) diets and in widely consumed liquid (apple, carrot, tomato, and watermelon juices, milk) and solid foods. Solid foods include various fruits (bayberries, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries), vegetables (carrots, celery, lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, and tomatoes), meats (beef, ham, pork, and frankfurters), poultry (chickens and turkeys), seafood (oysters and shrimp), bread, cheese, eggs, infant formula, and peanut paste. The described findings are not only of fundamental interest but also have practical implications for food safety, nutrition, and animal and human health. The collated information and suggested research needs will hopefully facilitate and guide further studies needed to optimize the use of cinnamaldehyde alone and in combination with other natural antimicrobials and medicinal antibiotics to help prevent and treat food animal and human diseases.

Protective effects of carnosol against oxidative stress induced brain damage by chronic stress in rats

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress through chronic stress destroys the brain function. There are many documents have shown that carnosol may have a therapeutic effect versus free radical induced diseases. The current research focused the protective effect of carnosol against the brain injury induced by the restraint stress.

METHODS

The restraint stress induced by keeping animals in restrainers for 21 consecutive days. Thereafter, the rats were injected carnosol or vehicle for 21 consecutive days. At the end of experiment, all the rats were subjected to his open field test and forced swimming test. Afterwards, the rats were sacrificed for measuring their oxidative stress parameters. To measure the modifications in the biochemical aspects after the experiment, the activities of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and catalase (CAT) were evaluated in the whole brain.

RESULTS

Our data showed that the animals received chronic stress had a raised immobility time versus the non-stressed animals (p < 0.01). Furthermore, chronic stress diminished the number of crossing in the animals that were subjected to the chronic stress versus the non-stressed rats (p < 0.01). Carnosol ameliorated this alteration versus the non-treated rats (p < 0.05). In the vehicle treated rats that submitted to the stress, the level of MDA levels was significantly increased (P < 0.001), and the levels of GSH and antioxidant enzymes were significantly decreased versus the non-stressed animals (P < 0.001). Carnosol treatment reduced the modifications in the stressed animals as compared with the control groups (P < 0.001). All of these carnosol effects were nearly similar to those observed with fluoxetine.

CONCLUSION

The current research shows that the protective effects of carnosol may be accompanied with enhanced antioxidant defenses and decreased oxidative injury.